Madeira - Pearl of the Atlantic

Escorted Tour

Offer: Save Up To £100

With scenery from the jagged volcanic interior to its ruggedly-beautiful coastline, attractive and historical towns and cities, public gardens ablaze with floral colour and year-round subtropical sunshine, it’s little wonder Madeira is so treasured as a holiday destination. Discover the best of the ‘Pearl of the Atlantic’ on this great-value holiday.

Including...

7 nights in hotel (accommodation as specified or similar)

8 meals: 7 breakfasts (days 2-8) 1 lunch (day 4)

VOX portable audio headset system on excursions

Included excursions and visits: 6

Tour of Funchal by local guide

Entrance to Patricio and Gouveia embroidery factory and the Botanical Gardens

Wine tasting at the Madeira Wine Company

Full-day Island tour including lunch

Excursion to Eira Do Serrado and Monte

Plus all these benefits:

Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service®

Free connecting flights from regional airports

Check-in service by Titan staff with porterage

Services of an experienced Titan local representative

Scheduled TAP Portugal, easyJet or British Airways flights

Best available coaches with experienced drivers

Hotel porterage (one bag per person)

Airport taxes, security charges and fuel surcharges

UK Air Passenger Duty (APD)

8 Day Itinerary:

Day 1 London - Funchal

Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home, for your journey to London Heathrow or Gatwick Airport and a scheduled British Airways, easyJet or TAP Portugal flight to Madeira, which may be via Lisbon. On arrival we transfer to the centrally-located Pestana Casino Park Hotel (5T), with spectacular views from its cliff-top position.

Day 2 Funchal

Today you are at leisure to explore Funchal. Within ninety years of the first settlers coming to Madeira, Funchal grew quickly into a city. Today it is very different from the days of pirates. The perfectly cobbled streets now blend with a modern city with top class restaurants. The City Hall, remodelled to the revivalist style of the 1940s, is a beautiful and noble building, decorated with the portraits of the city’s influential including Portuguese kings. Maybe take a cable car up to Monte from the Old Town or the Botanical Gardens for an alternative way to experience the beautiful vistas. The Jardim Tropical Monte Palace is a tranquil gem with koi filled crystal-clear lakes and peacocks freely roaming the manicured landscape.

Day 3 Funchal

We depart on a tour of Funchal, including a guided walk through the colourful market - with its array of exotic flowers, freshly-caught fish and succulent fruits. We visit ‘Patricio & Gouveia’ embroidery factory, the renowned Botanical Gardens ablaze with sub-tropical flora, and conclude at the Madeira Wine Company, where you may sample the local wine produced by the island’s leading company. This afternoon is at leisure. Maybe take some time to enjoy the painted doors of Rua de Santa Maria or the carefully nurtured Palheiro Gardens.

Day 4 Island tour

A full-day tour of the island, including Pico da Torre for beautiful views over Camara de Lobos’ dazzling bay and Cabo Girao, the world’s second highest cliff. On to Ribeira Brava, one of the island’s first parishes, and through the jagged mountains to Encumeada, where the views are simply stunning if vertigo inducive. Travel north on a scenic drive through Chao dos Louros to Sao Vicente, set where a beautiful valley meets the sea, to have lunch. Our final stop is the Pousada dos Vinhaticos, surrounded by lush undulating landscape 900 metres above sea level, as we return south to Funchal.

Day 5 Eira Do Serrado

This morning we travel to Eira do Serrado, for an inspiring view down the valley of chestnut trees, surrounded by steep volcanic mountains. Far below is the isolated village of Nun’s Valley, known to be where nuns took refuge from the pirates who frequently attacked Madeira. Travel on to Monte to visit Lady of the Mount Church. The most important pilgrimage site in Madeira, with lively processions held every August, it contains the austere tomb of Charles I of Habsburg and a revered statue of Our Lady of the Mountain.

Days 6-7 Funchal

These two days are at leisure. In the 16th century an open canal system was developed from the wetter regions of the island to the sun parched regions of the south. There are over 200 enduring, beautiful walks along these Levadas, with varying levels of difficulty across dramatic landscapes and through lush vegetation. There are five to choose from in Funchal but don’t take these on lightly, a guided walk is recommended to safely explore the natural heritage. Or maybe spend your time learning more of the island’s history at the Madeira Story Centre or through the nostalgic photographs at Museu Photographia Vicentes.

Day 8 Funchal - London

We transfer to Funchal Airport for a scheduled British Airways, easyJet or TAP Portugal flight to London Heathrow or Gatwick Airport, which may be via Lisbon. On arrival you will be met and guided to your Titan vehicle, for the journey home.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the NHS has up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad. For more on security, local laws, plus passport and visa information, see www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
Keep informed of current travel health news by visiting www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk